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How to address and resolve sinful conflict when it arises between yourself and another member of the Church. Who is this for? Fellow Christians. When should this process be used? When one christian has sinned against another. Not merely when someone annoys you or "does something you don't like.

Physics is defined as: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions... the processes and phenomena of a particular system". Applying this concept to matters of the soul, the wisdom literature of Proverbs reads like a textbook on the processes & phenomena of morality. In Proverbs 21, Solomon reveals spiritual & ethical cause and effect relationships of life. A key verse for this chapter might be verse 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." Here Solomon expounds the relationship between the direction and the destiny of our lives in matters of equal and greater importance than the so-called STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) which are growing fields of study these days promising great progress. But are we giving the Proverbs the attention it deserves? For most, the return on investment in godliness is less compelling than the short-term capital gains of temporal success. Solomon rebukes the foolishness of disordered moral priorities even as he reveals the infinitely greater value of righteousness. Here we have practical instruction on how to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.

In our passage today, we become more acquainted with Mordecai and are introduced to Haman. These two men are set in contrast with one another as the plot of the book develops according to themes woven through the entirety of scripture. We opened our study asking the question, where is God in Esther, and, so far, we have discovered him at every turn. Today's chapter is no exception as we see the handiwork of divine sovereignty and revelation displayed on the theater of exile. In this account we read of the conflict between Mordecai, representing the people of God, and Haman representing their enemies.

In chapter 25 of his book, Isaiah foretells a time of jubilation, communion, and resurrection.  His words come alive in the context of the work & ministry of the Messiah Jesus Christ. In light of this, the apostle Paul cites a passage from Isaiah’s prophecy in the resurrection crescendo chapter of his 1st letter to Corinth.  These words first appeared in the midst of a reckoning oracle addressing enemies of the purposes and people of God. Isaiah 25 shines like prophetic sun rays through the storm clouds of judgment in the book of Isaiah. Verse 5 implies that the song of redemption in this chapter will increasingly be amplified until it overpowers the erstwhile jubilant voices of every last enemy. The songs of the ruthless in a world captive to sin are finally drowned out by the worship music of the redeemed! Let us join with our own voices inspired by these two glorious passages

Verse 23 in our text today reiterates the organizing theme of our study of Proverbs 20. Wisdom utilizes the mind, ears, eyes, and tongue as instruments God has created for applying wisdom. We are to take up the scales of wisdom with our faculties and weigh every area of life and thought to determine where things stand relative to the moral authority of God's revealed word in scripture.

Luke 18:9-14 records a parable of Jesus illustrating the moral and spiritual necessity of applying equal weights & measures. Verse 9 reveals the occasion for this illustration: “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:..”.  With this teaching Jesus identified how the perennial sin of pride influences us to be patient with ourselves collecting excuses for our shortcomings all the while we are often quick to judge others by a different standard.  The organizing theme of Proverbs 20 reminds us that God hates unequal weights & measures (10, 23). Furthermore, this chapter trains us to be consistent in our assessments internally & externally as we apply the standards of scripture to every day life

Extravagant pageantry continues, now with respect to choosing a more suitable queen for Ahasuerus.  The time and attention involved for this process was extraordinary in more than one sense.  Firstly, the beautifying protocol for the kings court is difficult to fathom for its sheer scale with 6 months required for oil and myrrh treatments with the rest of the year dedicated to enhancing with spices & ointments for the queen candidates.   Secondly, the perverse priorities demonstrated by this whole ordeal cannot be overstated.  I don’t know if one could cite a more extreme illustration of the prophet’s words in (I Sam 16:7) “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”.  Nevertheless, there was one woman among these contestants whom God had chosen & imbued with virtue, whom the king would favor as well according to Yahweh’s decree unfolding in the providence of this historical moment.

Placing life on the scale of wisdom, we discern what decisions, motivations, strategies, philosophies, assets, attributes, goals, character traits, cultures, habits, priorities, attitudes, identities, vows, governments, experiences, etc. are actually worth. Verses 10 & 23 of this chapter reprise a key metaphor of Biblical wisdom literature illustrating the necessity and effect of a transcendent standard by which to measure the true value of things.  In this chapter it’s as if Solomon takes up an aspect of life in each verse, placing it on the measuring scale to assess its worth in the kingdom of God. 
     Recall how the results of one such divine audit in Belshazzar’s day were written on the wall of his palace one day… The message written by the very finger of God Himself was illustrated by way of a metaphor.  Daniel 5:27 “…you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting;”.  Solomon equips the student of wisdom to weigh himself according to the standards revealed in the Word of God and repent where he falls short.  This is infinitely preferable than the fool’s day of reckoning when he is caught flat footed like Belshazzar on the Day of the Lord!

The final request in Jesus’ model prayer for us reads: (Matthew 6:13) “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Proverbs 19 teaches us that the fear of the Lord ultimately ensures that we will not be visited by harm.  Indeed, according to Solomon, through the fear of God applied we are delivered from evil.  The truths contained in this chapter have the power to order the economy of human relationships promoting goodness in this life, even as they assure us of the absolute promises of eternal life secure in our Messiah Jesus Christ.

Our title today is drawn from the second of three promises/benefits connected to the fear of the Lord, listed in verse 23. Here Solomon proclaims that the fear of the Lord leads to life and those who have it rest satisfied. He goes on to assure us that the believer who fears the Lord will not be visited by harm. Our verses today give practical applications of godly fear that yield the satisfaction of resting in the assurance of God’s power, grace, and wisdom.   When we take the Lord as seriously as His glory demands in these areas, the peace that we gain will surpass understanding.

The record of significant events orchestrated in the providence of God to advance His purposes in history provide occasion to introduce characters of consequence in the book of Esther.  Among them, Mordecai, Esther’s cousin & adoptive father, and Esther (Hadassah) herself.  Last message we asked: “Where is God in Esther?” (Our heading question introducing the book). The answer continues to unfold with the record of divinely directed circumstances which arrange the causes in such a way that the effects advance the will of God to ransom a people despite the odds which only serve to compound the testimony of His glory.  Themes introduced as the story opens serve to reinforce the message of the book showcasing the glory of God on the theater of history.

Paul’s letter reads like a lone voice crying in the wilderness of a pagan empire. Paul reveals in our text that he had pushback on other missionary fronts in addition to opposition he faces in Corinth as the truth of Christianity clashed with the sinful philosophy of the day.   Yet here we are over 2000 years later, and his voice has decisively won the battle of history. It is difficult these days to find the published works of Christ’s enemies the apostle confronted at the time, yet more copies of Paul’s writings remain in print than any other book in human history.   This is the kind of victorious triumph we would expect to follow the resurrected and reigning Messiah.   What Paul proclaimed in faith at the time has only been confirmed with every generation since, calling us yet today to wake up from our stupor to proclaim and serve our risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 19:23 serves well as a theme verse to outline this chapter of Solomon’s collection of wise sayings.   This verse reprises the meta-theme of wisdom literature: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’, attaching it to practical blessings.   According to Solomon : “the fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied, he will not be visited by harm.”   As with other statements of this nature in the book, the qualifying context of these promises is assumed.   First, the ordinary application:   Generally speaking, taking the exhortation of Proverbs as your day to day operating system, it will tend to result in positive outcomes   as you realize its life enhancing potential. 2nd: we are mindful in Christ of the ultimate application: Fear of the Lord, as fruit of regeneration in the heart of the believer, will secure our quality of life eternally.   Solomon instructs us how we who submit to Christ should live in the meantime for our own good and His glory.

Proverbs 18:10 describes the name of the Lord as a strong tower. The renown and character of our great God is where the righteous man finds his identity, meaning, standards, safety, authority. provision, and assurance. Proverbs 18, indeed with much of the entire book, can be understood as revealing pathways to the tower of God's presence and power in the life of a believer. Today we learn to take refuge in our God by way of our speech and relationships. Let us consider these two pathways to the tower of the Lord